Author |
Topic Search Topic Options
|
tszirmay
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: August 17 2006
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 6673
|
Posted: November 01 2016 at 12:14 |
Dean wrote:
tszirmay wrote:
Dean wrote:
tszirmay wrote:
Nogbad_The_Bad wrote:
Need to check it out, I'll probably pick it up
|
You must choose not to be influenced by any of his other, more accepted, works. On its own merits, its is masterful. |
Nah, I think you have to view it in context and in time. Compared to his other albums of the 90s it's middling at best while Songs From Distant Earth and Amarok tower above it - it's the Hergest Ridge of the 90s - not bad but not great either and quite easy to live without. |
Nah, you just compared it!  You did not view it in context and in time.  |

It followed Songs... that's viewing it in context; it was the same decade as Amarok... that's viewing it in time. At least I didn't mention Tubby Bells 2 & 3 that cashed-in on either side of it, or comment on the "Guitars" album that followed it. Voyager is a so-so album. It's not terrible, it's not magnificent and even by its own merits it isn't masterful - by its own merits it's okay.
|
It seems your valued and precise opinion will always TRUMP mine.  Different tastes are not debatable, unless expressed by higher powers.
Edited by tszirmay - November 01 2016 at 12:14
|
I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth.
|
 |
Dean
Special Collaborator
Retired Admin and Amateur Layabout
Joined: May 13 2007
Location: Europe
Status: Offline
Points: 37575
|
Posted: November 01 2016 at 12:21 |
tszirmay wrote:
Dean wrote:
tszirmay wrote:
Dean wrote:
tszirmay wrote:
Nogbad_The_Bad wrote:
Need to check it out, I'll probably pick it up
|
You must choose not to be influenced by any of his other, more accepted, works. On its own merits, its is masterful. |
Nah, I think you have to view it in context and in time. Compared to his other albums of the 90s it's middling at best while Songs From Distant Earth and Amarok tower above it - it's the Hergest Ridge of the 90s - not bad but not great either and quite easy to live without. |
Nah, you just compared it!  You did not view it in context and in time.  |

It followed Songs... that's viewing it in context; it was the same decade as Amarok... that's viewing it in time. At least I didn't mention Tubby Bells 2 & 3 that cashed-in on either side of it, or comment on the "Guitars" album that followed it. Voyager is a so-so album. It's not terrible, it's not magnificent and even by its own merits it isn't masterful - by its own merits it's okay.
|
It seems your valued and precise opinion will always TRUMP mine.  Different tastes are not debatable, unless expressed by higher powers.
|
You seem to not quite grasp the concept of opinions are not facts... It's an opinion, if I state it then it is my opinion, if your's is different then it is your opinion. How difficult is this? 
|
What?
|
 |
Barbu
Forum Senior Member
Joined: October 09 2005
Location: infinity
Status: Offline
Points: 30855
|
Posted: November 01 2016 at 12:23 |
|
 |
tszirmay
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: August 17 2006
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 6673
|
Posted: November 01 2016 at 12:23 |
With you, very difficult, as always . You are a grumpy old man who likes to be very authoritative and authoritarian. You opinion is always factual while other person's facts are just opinions. Tu ne fais pas le poids , mon cher.
Edited by tszirmay - November 01 2016 at 12:25
|
I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth.
|
 |
tszirmay
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: August 17 2006
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 6673
|
Posted: November 01 2016 at 12:24 |
Bold red lines, not impressive. Are you angry today
|
I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth.
|
 |
tszirmay
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: August 17 2006
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 6673
|
Posted: November 01 2016 at 12:33 |
The use of the imperative IT IS or IT ISN'T denotes little opinion but rather stating it like fact. A master linguist like you should know this
|
I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth.
|
 |
SteveG
Forum Senior Member
Joined: April 11 2014
Location: Kyiv In Spirit
Status: Offline
Points: 20617
|
Posted: November 01 2016 at 14:06 |
I have no opinion as I never heard the album. I have early Oldfields like Ommadawn and Hergest Ridge. Am I missing much?
|
This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State.
|
 |
kenethlevine
Special Collaborator
Prog-Folk Team
Joined: December 06 2006
Location: New England
Status: Offline
Points: 9111
|
Posted: November 01 2016 at 14:16 |
SteveG wrote:
I have no opinion as I never heard the album. I have early Oldfields like Ommadawn and Hergest Ridge. Am I missing much? |
Yes Steve I think you are missing a lot there, but I wouldn't recommend Voyager next or even 10th or 11th  Chronological is as good an approach as any
|
 |
Dean
Special Collaborator
Retired Admin and Amateur Layabout
Joined: May 13 2007
Location: Europe
Status: Offline
Points: 37575
|
Posted: November 01 2016 at 14:20 |
|
What?
|
 |
kenethlevine
Special Collaborator
Prog-Folk Team
Joined: December 06 2006
Location: New England
Status: Offline
Points: 9111
|
Posted: November 01 2016 at 14:21 |
Larkstongue41 wrote:
Dean wrote:
Songs From Distant Earth and Amarok tower above it |
Never listened to Amarok and I have nothing against your opinion, but Songs Of Distant Earth?? Really? I mean, Oldfield's probably in my top 10 musical bands/artists, but I always thought of that album as being more bad than good. It has its moments for sure, but I never particularly liked it.
|
Songs of Distant Earth gets a lot of love on this site, which I always find surprising, but there you have it. To me it, Voyager, and Earth Moving are the worst Oldfield albums. Actually add Amarok to that, though I understand why people here often like it. I think Heavens Open is pretty weak as well, but the awesome title track practically redeems the whole album. So yeah the late 1980s/early 1990s were a trough. He has done some really good stuff since
Edited by kenethlevine - November 01 2016 at 14:23
|
 |
SteveG
Forum Senior Member
Joined: April 11 2014
Location: Kyiv In Spirit
Status: Offline
Points: 20617
|
Posted: November 01 2016 at 14:29 |
kenethlevine wrote:
SteveG wrote:
I have no opinion as I never heard the album. I have early Oldfields like Ommadawn and Hergest Ridge. Am I missing much? |
Yes Steve I think you are missing a lot there, but I wouldn't recommend Voyager next or even 10th or 11th  Chronological is as good an approach as any |
I'll take your word on this, Ken. I gave up on M.O. with the albums Crises and Five Miles Out. Too much pop thrown in for me, but I liked the longer instrumentals on both albums.
Edited by SteveG - November 01 2016 at 14:32
|
This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State.
|
 |
kenethlevine
Special Collaborator
Prog-Folk Team
Joined: December 06 2006
Location: New England
Status: Offline
Points: 9111
|
Posted: November 01 2016 at 18:23 |
SteveG wrote:
kenethlevine wrote:
SteveG wrote:
I have no opinion as I never heard the album. I have early Oldfields like Ommadawn and Hergest Ridge. Am I missing much? |
Yes Steve I think you are missing a lot there, but I wouldn't recommend Voyager next or even 10th or 11th  Chronological is as good an approach as any | I'll take your word on this, Ken. I gave up on M.O. with the albums Crises and Five Miles Out. Too much pop thrown in for me, but I liked the longer instrumentals on both albums.
|
Five miles out is one of my favorites. The pop that's there is good quirky pop to me. It's one of the albums that has the most Celtic influence particularly on stretches of Taurus II, featuring Paddy Moloney of the Chieftains on pipes. Some interesting experimentation on Orabidoo and the title cut. If you haven't heard QE2, that's another good one with a strong Celtic vibe. The track "Conflict" is a brilliant marriage of electronic prog and trad Irish. Neither of these albums are mushy new age Celtic like Voyager.
I mentioned how others did that Voyager style better than Oldfield. An example is the group Nightnoise that released a number of albums on Windham Hill. They featured several stalwarts of the Irish folk scene who lived in the Pacific Northwest I believe, which explains that laid back vibe well.
|
 |
Barbu
Forum Senior Member
Joined: October 09 2005
Location: infinity
Status: Offline
Points: 30855
|
Posted: November 01 2016 at 18:45 |
kenethlevine wrote:
SteveG wrote:
kenethlevine wrote:
SteveG wrote:
I have no opinion as I never heard the album. I have early Oldfields like Ommadawn and Hergest Ridge. Am I missing much? |
Yes Steve I think you are missing a lot there, but I wouldn't recommend Voyager next or even 10th or 11th  Chronological is as good an approach as any | I'll take your word on this, Ken. I gave up on M.O. with the albums Crises and Five Miles Out. Too much pop thrown in for me, but I liked the longer instrumentals on both albums.
|
Five miles out is one of my favorites. The pop that's there is good quirky pop to me. It's one of the albums that has the most Celtic influence particularly on stretches of Taurus II, featuring Paddy Moloney of the Chieftains on pipes. Some interesting experimentation on Orabidoo and the title cut. If you haven't heard QE2, that's another good one with a strong Celtic vibe. The track "Conflict" is a brilliant marriage of electronic prog and trad Irish. Neither of these albums are mushy new age Celtic like Voyager.
I mentioned how others did that Voyager style better than Oldfield. An example is the group Nightnoise that released a number of albums on Windham Hill. They featured several stalwarts of the Irish folk scene who lived in the Pacific Northwest I believe, which explains that laid back vibe well. | Can't go wrong with any 1973-1984 Oldfield afaic. More recent material, Light and Shade is worth checking out and Music of the Spheres is splendid. Looks like Return to Ommadawn is finished and should be out shortly, great news indeed.
|
 |
Nogbad_The_Bad
Forum & Site Admin Group
RIO/Avant/Zeuhl & Eclectic Team
Joined: March 16 2007
Location: Boston
Status: Online
Points: 21363
|
Posted: November 01 2016 at 19:26 |
SteveG wrote:
kenethlevine wrote:
SteveG wrote:
I have no opinion as I never heard the album. I have early Oldfields like Ommadawn and Hergest Ridge. Am I missing much? |
Yes Steve I think you are missing a lot there, but I wouldn't recommend Voyager next or even 10th or 11th  Chronological is as good an approach as any | I'll take your word on this, Ken. I gave up on M.O. with the albums Crises and Five Miles Out. Too much pop thrown in for me, but I liked the longer instrumentals on both albums.
|
There's little out there for you beyond the ones you've got if he lost you with Crises & Five Miles Out. I similarly bought Platinum through Crises for the long tracks (and the bonus live material on the reissues). Of the rest of his catalog I'd recommend Amarok, Song Of Distant Earth, and maybe TB2 and TB3. But little else.
|
Ian
Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com
https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/
|
 |
Dellinger
Forum Senior Member
VIP Member
Joined: June 18 2009
Location: Mexico
Status: Offline
Points: 12818
|
Posted: November 01 2016 at 21:37 |
Dean wrote:
tszirmay wrote:
Nogbad_The_Bad wrote:
Need to check it out, I'll probably pick it up
|
You must choose not to be influenced by any of his other, more accepted, works. On its own merits, its is masterful. |
Nah, I think you have to view it in context and in time. Compared to his other albums of the 90s it's middling at best while Songs From Distant Earth and Amarok tower above it - it's the Hergest Ridge of the 90s - not bad but not great either and quite easy to live without. | But I love Hergest Ridge... mostly side two, even though side one is rather enjoyable too. For me, the top of Oldfield are Hergest Ridge, side 2; Ommadawn, side 1; and Incantations, side 4. And most of Tubular Bells, though he lost me from the Caveman section onwards. And the Diana part of Incantations first side is sublime also.
|
 |
Dellinger
Forum Senior Member
VIP Member
Joined: June 18 2009
Location: Mexico
Status: Offline
Points: 12818
|
Posted: November 01 2016 at 21:42 |
Larkstongue41 wrote:
Dean wrote:
Songs From Distant Earth and Amarok tower above it |
Never listened to Amarok and I have nothing against your opinion, but Songs Of Distant Earth?? Really? I mean, Oldfield's probably in my top 10 musical bands/artists, but I always thought of that album as being more bad than good. It has its moments for sure, but I never particularly liked it.
| I do find Songs of Distant Earth to be very good... all of it is beautiful... perhaps his best album as far as the whole album goes... though I think he reached higher peaks on his 70's albums. As for Amarok, I found that one rather difficult to enjoy... it's got good music parts here and there, but it's all presented as one song, and if you don't have 40 continuous minutes to hear it you won't be able to finish it, and when you find a nice bit of music within, it doesn't last long enough and some noisy parts come in. The Africa 1 section is just sublime, though.
|
 |
Nogbad_The_Bad
Forum & Site Admin Group
RIO/Avant/Zeuhl & Eclectic Team
Joined: March 16 2007
Location: Boston
Status: Online
Points: 21363
|
Posted: November 01 2016 at 21:53 |
Dellinger wrote:
Larkstongue41 wrote:
Dean wrote:
Songs From Distant Earth and Amarok tower above it |
Never listened to Amarok and I have nothing against your opinion, but Songs Of Distant Earth?? Really? I mean, Oldfield's probably in my top 10 musical bands/artists, but I always thought of that album as being more bad than good. It has its moments for sure, but I never particularly liked it.
|
I do find Songs of Distant Earth to be very good... all of it is beautiful... perhaps his best album as far as the whole album goes... though I think he reached higher peaks on his 70's albums. As for Amarok, I found that one rather difficult to enjoy... it's got good music parts here and there, but it's all presented as one song, and if you don't have 40 continuous minutes to hear it you won't be able to finish it, and when you find a nice bit of music within, it doesn't last long enough and some noisy parts come in. The Africa 1 section is just sublime, though. |
Well that was deliberate, it was a snub to Richard Branson & Virgin, he owed them an album and they wanted singles and hits. He deliberately recorded it as one song that changes all over the place so no 3 minute section could be pulled out as a single. Personally I find it sublime. It's bizarrely wonderful.
|
Ian
Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com
https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/
|
 |
tszirmay
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: August 17 2006
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 6673
|
Posted: November 01 2016 at 23:38 |
|
I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth.
|
 |
Slartibartfast
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam
Joined: April 29 2006
Location: Atlantais
Status: Offline
Points: 29630
|
Posted: November 02 2016 at 13:00 |
I don't have anything against new age. I have 19 Mike Oldfield albums, the last one being 2008's Music Of The Spheres. They're all decent albums, but with the exception of The Orchestral Tubular Bells, which I find a little ho hum, his '70's stuff are my favorites.
|
Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
|
 |
Dellinger
Forum Senior Member
VIP Member
Joined: June 18 2009
Location: Mexico
Status: Offline
Points: 12818
|
Posted: November 02 2016 at 21:48 |
Nogbad_The_Bad wrote:
Dellinger wrote:
Larkstongue41 wrote:
Dean wrote:
Songs From Distant Earth and Amarok tower above it |
Never listened to Amarok and I have nothing against your opinion, but Songs Of Distant Earth?? Really? I mean, Oldfield's probably in my top 10 musical bands/artists, but I always thought of that album as being more bad than good. It has its moments for sure, but I never particularly liked it.
|
I do find Songs of Distant Earth to be very good... all of it is beautiful... perhaps his best album as far as the whole album goes... though I think he reached higher peaks on his 70's albums. As for Amarok, I found that one rather difficult to enjoy... it's got good music parts here and there, but it's all presented as one song, and if you don't have 40 continuous minutes to hear it you won't be able to finish it, and when you find a nice bit of music within, it doesn't last long enough and some noisy parts come in. The Africa 1 section is just sublime, though. |
Well that was deliberate, it was a snub to Richard Branson & Virgin, he owed them an album and they wanted singles and hits. He deliberately recorded it as one song that changes all over the place so no 3 minute section could be pulled out as a single. Personally I find it sublime. It's bizarrely wonderful. | Yeah, I know about that, but still that makes the album hard to follow... however, it has got lot's of followers and is generally regarded as great... I just have found it hard to love. And in the end, the Africa 1 section I mentioned before was a very easy piece to pull a single from.
|
 |